The following years was followed by a decade of Unequal treaties with the European great powers highlighted the need to rebuild Chinese naval strength.

In May 1896 the Qing government appointed the Marquis of Suyi, Li Hongzhang to head a mission to acquire western built battleships.

By the end of August 1896, the mission visited Russia (to negotiate the Li–Lobanov Treaty), Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

[1] The Vulcan built ships were to be named Hai Yung (Chinese: 海容; pinyin: Hǎiróng; lit.

The ships were powered by two four-cylinder three-expansion reciprocating steam engines, fired by four coal boilers pushing two two-shaft propellers that could reach a top speed of 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph).